The Polish Government and industry have signed a letter of intent to co-operate on the development of offshore wind in the country
It is hoped the agreement will lead to the development of a ‘sector deal’ for offshore wind similar to that agreed between the government and offshore wind industry in the UK.
The ‘Letter of Intent on co-operation for development of offshore wind power in Poland,’ was signed on 1 July 2020.
The signatories to the letter are the Minister of Climate, Minister of National Defence, Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, the Government Plenipotentiary for Renewable Energy, and the Plenipotentiary of the Minister of State Assets for Development of Offshore Wind Power, along with investors and industry, including the Polish Wind Energy Association and the Polish Offshore Wind Energy Society.
Climate Minister Michał Kurtyka said development of offshore wind is an opportunity for economic development in the country. “Offshore wind will be a strong driver for the Polish economy,” he said. “With co-operation between the administration and business, Poland can become a leader in offshore wind in the Baltic and an exporter of cheap, clean energy.”
Government Plenipotentiary for RES Ireneusz Zyska said, “We would like offshore wind to be perceived by the general public as a bold step towards a green energy sector in Poland. We see investment in offshore wind projects as huge opportunities for Polish companies, including prospects to enter new markets in the context of strengthened co-operation in the Baltic.”
Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak described energy security as “an important component of national security,” and described the initiative to develop offshore wind as “perfectly in line with the country’s national security strategy."
Polish Wind Energy Association president Janusz Gajowiecki said the programme of offshore wind projects in the Baltic is worth more than PLN130Bn (approximately US$33Bn) and would become a driver for the Polish economy and ensure its energy security.
“Construction of 10 GW of offshore wind is only the first step. Poland has a chance to become an offshore wind leader in the Baltic with a potential of up to 28 GW by 2050.”
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said, “Today marks the birth of offshore wind in Poland. Offshore wind has shown its reliability and efficiency elsewhere in Europe. With this letter of intent the Polish government and industry are sending a strong sign to investors and markets – that they want lots of offshore wind too and are putting in place a regulatory framework to support it.”
In its National Energy and Climate Plan, Poland identified offshore wind as one of key technologies to meet its goals for renewable energy for 2030. It is also a strategic project in the draft of Poland’s Energy Policy until 2040. It will help diversifying the Polish national power generation structure that today heavily depends on coal.
Poland doesn’t yet have any offshore windfarms, but by 2030 it aims to have installed 3.8 GW of offshore wind, with 10 GW of new capacity awarded CfDs by then. 28 GW by 2050 would make Poland the largest operator of offshore wind in the Baltic.
“The potential for offshore wind in the Baltic is immense and the Polish wind industry is ready to get started. Wind will contribute to a more modern, independent and healthy Poland. It will strengthen cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. And it will create future-proof Polish jobs in the manufacturing, service, maritime and port industries,” said Mr Dickson.
"The letter is an important step towards Poland’s first Offshore Wind Act, which is being prepared by the government and is expected to enter into force later in 2020."
In June, Riviera held a series of webinars on offshore wind. These are available to view in our webinar library
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